Best Bead Show - Baltimore

I took a day trip to Hunt Valley, Maryland last Friday to scope out the Best Bead Show. This was my first time attending this show and I will have to say that it was a really great bead show! Well organized and a wonderful selection of vendors. I made a point to first visit vendors that I haven't been to at Bead Fest. Once I gathered up some unique beads and findings, including a really cool sea urchin spine and unique lampworked glass bead, I headed to the Silver Silk booth to purchase a spool of gorgeous double knit silver wire. Becky Machinski, their ultra friendly sales director, demonstrated some beautiful ways to create with the different size knitted wire they offer. I can't wait to start working with it! I also love that it is made local in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania!

Some of the highlights of this buying trip: 

A beautiful lampworked bead created by Jennifer Fahnestock.
Gorgeous gold filled textured chain from Atlantic Gems. 

Modern pewter wavy discs from Elka Designs.

Faceted cloudy amazonite beads from Star's Clasps.
A sea urchin spine from Mommimia.
Gorgeous knitted wire in baby blue and silver from Silver Silk.
A Hill Tribe pure silver leaf from The Bead Goes On.
Chinese Crystal from C&I International.

Arts and Music Festival.

I am very excited that I have been accepted as a exhibitor in the Arts and Music Festival at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland September 24-25, 2011! I received a letter of congratulations yesterday from the selection jury. My booth location will be in the Formal Gardens. This is my first large scale craft show, so I will be spending the next three months creating, creating creating. I really can't think of a better way to spend my time! I have already recruited my awesome husband, who has been assisting me with craft fairs throughout the summer, to help me on both days. He has been a tremendous help with the set up, tech support, and even creative design of my booth presentation. All that and he cooks for me too!

Inspired by the Ocean.

One of my recent night time creations, a seaside themed sterling silver charm bracelet. With summer officially starting, thoughts of the ocean influence a lot of my designs this time of year. The Atlantic ocean and it's beautiful sea creatures were the inspiration for this summer piece. I have vacationed in Chincoteague Island, Cape Cod and Bar Harbor, Maine. Memories of those trips influenced me and made me smile as I created. The large link diamond shaped chain adds some contemporary flair, as I always like to incorporate a modern aspect into my designs. The rope toggle finishes it with a hint of nautical.

The oxidized dotted bead and sea glass beads are from one of my favorite bead shops, Dry Gulch in Joplin, Missouri. The silver star fish, hand crafted by the Hill Tribe in Thailand, and sand dollar were purchased at the Innovative Bead Expo in Clarksville, Maryland. The chain is from Rio Grande.

What time are you at your Creative Best?

I have found that I am at my most creative and productive between the hours of 8 pm and 11 pm. I work on my jewelry designs throughout the day, but once 8 o'clock rolls around, the ideas and momentum really kick in.  Strange, maybe. Habitual, yes. Fun, definitely! What time of day are you at your creative best?

Hello Blog World!

As a jewelry artist, my designs are influenced by nature and the aspects of my daily life. The journeys I have taken, places I have visited, and the colors and texture of the landscape all inspire my creativity.  It is a creative world, the one I live in. Through this blog, you will find insight into the thoughts and inspirations that influence my creativity. It is a fun, artistic, colorful, sometimes comical and always adventurous place to be! Welcome.